Gordon Matta-Clark: "You Are the Measure"

by Elisabeth Sussman (Editor)

Qualifying the ancient Greek saying “Man is the measure,” Gordon Matta-Clark (1943–1978) asserted instead “You are the measure,” conveying the defining theme in an oeuvre that would exert a powerful influence on fellow artists and architects. In artworks that combined minimalist, conceptual, and performative practices, Matta-Clark gave primary importance to the individual and considerations of everyday life. This comprehensive book incorporates important new information from the Matta-Clark archive, presenting a compelling reappraisal of the unique beauty and radical nature of Matta-Clark’s punnings, plans, performances, and interventions evident in the many media in which he worked: sculptural objects (most notably from building cuts), drawings, films, photographs, and documentary material.
The son of Chilean Surrealist painter Roberto Matta and godson of Marcel Duchamp, Matta-Clark trained as an architect. He is renowned for his poignant use of urban landscapes, creating many site-specific works (often outside of a museum or gallery context) in New York and abroad. In this handsome book, distinguished scholars of contemporary art provide new insights into Matta-Clark’s work: the reception of his art during his lifetime; the impact of his socially engaged lifestyle; the production of his films; his photography, in particular his collages that have not been thoroughly explored; the creation and conservation of his building cut Splitting; and much more.

Genres: Art

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 2007

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have this book out on permanent display on my coffee table. I walked through the Whitney a few years back on a visit to see friends in NY (I always make a point of visiting the Whitney *swoon) and I stumbled across this guys work. Was one of the first times I can remember being encountered, explicitly, with the idea that the way we observe or participate in a place is either arbitrary or completely dictated by unsolicited means (my word use might be a bit off here). Basically he ripped apart walls and houses as well as other work that challenged how we observe spaces with an effect not dissimilar to graffiti and culture jamming, but much more visceral and in your face (the guy sawed houses in half! He carved invisible Cones into abandon houses!).

[Jeremy Wineberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this show at the MCA in Chicago, I was taken with the cibachrome collages and the films he used to document his cuts, especially with how they reorient the space. Lots of other kinds of documents here as well, and some good essays as well, all wrapped up in a very cool book design.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book design, Great object. Best essays on his lesser known photography